9 Delivering a Quality Environment

Landscape Protection

1. Development proposals that would cause unacceptable harm and do not respect and protect the distinctive character and quality of the landscape or important features or views will not be permitted. Proposals should have regard to the North Lincolnshire Landscape Character Assessment and should contribute to the conservation or enhancement of the local landscape, where possible.

Character and setting

2. Proposals should have particular regard to maintaining and responding positively to any natural and man-made features within the landscape and townscape which positively contribute to the character of the area. These may include but are not limited to historic buildings and monuments, other landmark buildings, topography, trees and woodland, hedgerows, walls, water features, field patterns, and the intervisibility between historic rural settlements.
3. Development proposals should:
   1. relate well to local topography and the built form and be of an appropriate scale, siting, layout, design, density and use of materials to minimise the impact on the landscape character of the site and its surroundings;
   2. include provisions for the long-term management and maintenance of any existing and proposed landscaping, woodlands and trees;
   3. avoid detrimental effects on, or the loss of, features that make a significant contribution to the particular landscape character type;
   4. where possible, aim to conserve, enhance or restore important natural and historic landscape features;
   5. maintain and extend tree cover, where practicable, through the retention of important trees, appropriate replacement of trees to be lost, and new planting to support green infrastructure;
   6. not have an unacceptable visual impact on skylines, key views and roofscapes and undertake measures, such as landscaping, to reduce those impacts where appropriate;
   7. be supported by a landscaping scheme that includes new landscaping measures that positively integrate the development into the landscape character of the area; and
   8. be supported by a landscape analysis and management plan in appropriate cases. This should take account of, as a minimum, the Lincolnshire Landscape Character Assessment and information obtained from the North Lincolnshire Historic Environment Record.
4. Where a proposal may result in significant harm it may, exceptionally, be permitted if the overriding benefits of the development demonstrably outweigh the harm. In such circumstances, the harm should be minimised and mitigated.

Create and protect views

5. All development proposals should take account of views in to, out of, and within development areas. Schemes should be designed to preserve or enhance key local views and vistas and create new public views, where possible by utilising considerate development, layout and design. Particular consideration should be given to views of significant buildings and views within landscapes which are more sensitive to change due to their open, exposed character and extensive intervisibility from various viewpoints.

Cumulative impacts

6. In considering the impacts of a proposal, both the cumulative impacts and individual impacts will be considered. Developers should complete a site-specific landscape appraisal, proportionate to the anticipated scale and impact of the proposal. This appraisal should assess the character and appearance of the site, respond to landscape character, climate change and flood alleviation, where appropriate, and propose improvements to local biodiversity and levels of amenity.

Proposed Extension to the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

7. Priority will be given to the protection and enhancement of the landscape character and natural beauty and setting of the proposed extension to the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The considerations set out in this policy are particularly important when determining proposals which have the potential to impact upon the proposed extension to the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB as identified on the policies map.

The following landscape enhancement schemes are proposed:

Scunthorpe and Bottesford Urban Area

1. North West Escarpment
2. Bottesford Beck
3. Land North of Rowland Road
4. Lakeside
5. Land North of Doncaster Road
6. Ridgewalk/Sustrans route

Barton upon Humber

7. Barton East
8. Barton West
9. Waters’ Edge

Brigg

10. River Ancholme
11. Wrawby Road Approach
12. Brigg North

Large service centres

13. Winterton North West
14. Messingham East
15. Messingham South
16. Broughton North
17. Broughton South
18. Epworth East

Larger rural settlements

19. Burton upon Stather East
20. New Holland Industrial Estate
21. New Holland Mere

Northern Wold and Ancholme Valley

22. Elsham Wold Industrial Estate

Ironstone Gullets to the north-east of Scunthorpe

23. Lincoln Edge Scarp Slope

Development will only be permitted where it provides opportunities for landscape enhancement or creation.

1. All schemes shall, as appropriate to their nature and scale:
   1. protect, manage and enhance the network of habitats, species and sites of international, national and local importance (statutory and non-statutory), including sites that meet the criteria for selection as a Local Site*;
   2. minimise and mitigate against impacts on biodiversity and geodiversity where adverse effects are unavoidable; and
   3. deliver a net gain in biodiversity and/or geodiversity; and
   4. retain and enhance existing landscape and natural features (e.g. trees, hedges, river banks, watercourses water bodies and important habitats); or
   5. ensure an alternative corridor can be provided to ensure equivalent connectivity is maintained.
2. Proposals which may affect an SPA, SAC or Ramsar site will be assessed according to their implications for the site’s conservation objectives. Proposals not directly connected with or necessary for the management of the site and which are likely to have a significant effect on the site (either individually or in combination with other plans or projects) shall be subject to an Appropriate Assessment. Development that is considered to adversely affect the integrity of a European Site will not be permitted unless it can be conclusively demonstrated that:
   1. there is no alternative solution; and
   2. there are imperative reasons of overriding public interest for the development.
3. Development proposals which are likely to have an adverse effect on a Site of Special Scientific Interest will not be permitted unless the reasons for the development clearly outweigh the nature conservation value of the site itself and the national policy to safeguard the national network of such sites.
4. Planning permission will be refused for development resulting in the loss, deterioration or fragmentation of irreplaceable habitats including ancient woodland and aged or veteran trees unless the need for, and benefits of, the development in that location clearly outweigh the loss or harm.
5. Priority habitats, where practicable, should be retained, enhanced or created within the development site or suitable alternative habitats should be provided elsewhere. If this is not feasible, contributions towards the provision of habitat creation or the improvement of habitats elsewhere shall be required. If, for reasons of viability, this is not possible the benefits of the development should be demonstrated to clearly outweigh the loss of the habitat concerned.
6. Development proposals should create new habitats and links between habitats in line with Biodiversity Opportunity Mapping evidence to maintain a network of wildlife sites and corridors to minimise habitat fragmentation and provide opportunities for species to respond and adapt to climate change. Biodiversity offsetting will be used where net gain cannot be achieved within the site boundary. Offsets will be sought towards enhancements of the wider ecological network in the area in line with local, regional and national priorities for nature conservation.
7. In all cases where development is permitted which may damage the nature conservation value of the site, such damage shall be kept to a minimum. Where development is permitted the use of conditions or planning obligations to ensure the protection and enhancement of the site’s nature conservation value will be required.
8. In exceptional circumstances where adverse impacts are demonstrated to be unavoidable, developers will be required to ensure that impacts are appropriately mitigated, with compensation measures towards loss of habitat used only as a last resort where there is no alternative. Where any mitigation and compensation measures are required, they should be in place before development activities start that may disturb protected or important habitats and species.
9. Provision will be made for the creation of nature reserves and new wildlife habitats in both rural and urban areas. In granting planning permission, the creation of such areas will be required for the following types of development:
   1. in association with the reclamation of former mineral workings and waste disposal sites;
   2. in association with schemes for derelict land clearance;
   3. on land which is no longer required for long-term agricultural use; and
   4. where habitat creation is required in order to achieve mandatory biodiversity net gain.
10. Local designations including Local Sites*, sites that meet the criteria for designation as a Local Site, and Local Nature Reserves should be protected from significant adverse effects. Where adverse effects are likely, permission will only be granted where it can be demonstrated that the effects can be avoided and/or minimised to an acceptable level or, as a last resort, appropriate compensatory measures provided.

*a Local Site is Local Wildlife Site or Local Geological Site

Currently Declared Local Nature Reserves

1. It is proposed that the following Currently Declared Local Nature Reserves are protected:
   1. Ashbyville
   2. Atkinson’s Warren
   3. Axholme Line, Haxey
   4. Barton Wolds
   5. Belshaw Heath
   6. Brumby Wood
   7. Conesby
   8. Elsham Chalk Quarry
   9. Far Ings
   10. Frodingham
   11. Kingsway
   12. Owston Ferry Castle
   13. Phoenix
   14. Phoenix Parkway
   15. Sawcliffe Hill
   16. Silica Park
   17. Waters’ Edge
2. The Council currently has a target to declare and manage 2 hectares of Local Nature Reserve for every 1,000 people. Future LNRs will be selected by prioritising sites with high wildlife value, public accessibility and the ability to enter into management agreements.
3. Any development or land use change which is likely to have an adverse impact on a Local Nature Reserve will not be approved unless it can be clearly demonstrated that there are reasons for the proposal which outweigh the need to safeguard the intrinsic nature conservation value of the site or feature.
4. In all cases where development is permitted which may damage the nature conservation value of the site, such damage shall be kept to a minimum. Where development is permitted the use of conditions or planning obligations to ensure the protection and enhancement of the site’s nature conservation value and other appropriate compensatory measures will be considered.

1. Planning permission will not be granted for development which would result in the loss of, or do demonstrable harm to, existing nature conservation and recreational land uses in the following locations:

Barton and Barrow Clay Pits

2. However, planning permission for development related to nature conservation and, where appropriate, for quiet informal recreation will be allowed in the Barton and Barrow Clay Pits areas and immediate surroundings.

Humber Bridge to Chowder Ness

3. However, planning permission for development related to nature conservation and, where appropriate, for quiet informal recreation such as fishing and nature study, will be allowed to the west of the Humber Bridge, between the A15 and Chowder Ness, within the Barton and Barrow Clay Pits.
4. Proposals will not be permitted if they would generate noise of a level and nature sufficient to be perceived as unacceptably intrusive beyond the site boundary.

Humber Bridge to New Holland Mere

5. However, planning permission for development related to nature conservation and general water-based recreation will be allowed to the east of the Humber Bridge between the A15 (T) and at New Holland Mere within the Barton and Barrow Clay Pits.

1. The Council will support development proposals that avoid areas of current or future flood risk, and which do not increase the risk of flooding elsewhere. A risk based sequential approach will be taken to determine the suitability of land for development that uses the principle of locating development, where possible, on land that has a lower flood risk. Consideration will also be given towards the vulnerability of the land use with regard to the flood risk zone. Development in areas of high flood risk will only be permitted where it meets the following prerequisites:
   1. It can be demonstrated that the development provides wider sustainability benefits to the community and the area that outweigh flood risk.
   2. The development should be on previously used land. If not, there must be no reasonable alternative developable sites on previously developed land.
   3. A flood risk assessment has demonstrated that the development will be safe, without increasing flood risk elsewhere by integrating water management methods into development.
2. Development within the Lincolnshire Lakes area will be required to comply with the flood management principles set out in the Western Scunthorpe Urban Extension Exception Test Strategy. Any further flood management proposals will have to be agreed by both the council and the Environment Agency. Development proposals in flood risk areas which come forward in North Lincolnshire shall be guided by the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire and the Environment Agency’s Standing Advice. This will ensure that proposals include site-specific flood risk assessments which take into account strategic flood management objectives and properly apply the Sequential and, where necessary, Exception Tests.
3. Development will be permitted providing it is demonstrated that:
   1. the peak rate of run-off over the lifetime of the development, allowing for climate change, is no greater for the developed site than it was for the undeveloped site;
   2. the post-development volume of run-off, allowing for climate change over the development lifetime, is no greater than it would have been for the undeveloped site. If this cannot be achieved then the maximum discharge from the site should not exceed the calculated greenfield run off rate for all rainfall events up to and including the 1 in 100 year event plus allowance for climate change;
   3. the development is designed so that the flooding of property in and adjacent to the development, would not occur for a 1 in 100 year event, plus an allowance for climate change and exceedance flood flow paths are taken into account during the master plan stage;
   4. the final discharge locations have the capacity to receive all foul and surface water flows from the development, including discharge by infiltration, into water bodies and into sewers;
   5. there is a management and maintenance plan for the lifetime of the development, which shall include the arrangements for adoption by any public authority, statutory undertaker or management company and any other arrangements to secure the operation of the scheme throughout its lifetime; and
   6. the final destination of the discharge complies with the following priority order:
      1. firstly, to ground via infiltration;
      2. secondly, to a water body; and
      3. thirdly, to a surface water sewer.

1. Development proposals must incorporate appropriate sustainable surface water drainage systems (SuDS) appropriate to the nature of the site.
2. Development proposals will be required to demonstrate that:
   1. Surface water drainage schemes comply with the Sustainable Drainage Systems and Flood Risk Guidance Document or successor documents;
   2. Opportunities have been taken to integrate sustainable drainage with the development, create amenity, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to a network of green (and blue) open space;
   3. Surface water is managed close to its source and on the surface where it is practicable to do so;
   4. Maximum use has been made of low land take drainage measures, such as rain water recycling, green roofs, permeable surfaces and water butts;
   5. Appropriate pollution control measures have been incorporated, including multiple component treatment trains; and
   6. Arrangements have been established for the whole life management and maintenance of surface water drainage systems.

1. Proposals for development should be designed to mitigate the impacts of climate change and reduce carbon emissions to meet the climate change challenge.
2. All development proposals should be resilient to climate change and decrease the negative impacts of climate change on neighbouring areas by:
   1. Being designed to ensure that the development is resilient to climate change;
   2. Incorporating design features and technologies to meet high water efficiency standards to support water recycling and the conservation of water resources;
   3. Through their location, taking into account the risk of flooding from all sources of flooding;
   4. Incorporating the use of sustainable drainage systems, where practicable, to minimise and control surface water run-off; and
   5. Incorporating, where feasible, multi-functional green infrastructure, which can help species adapt to climate change through preventing fragmentation or isolation of habitats, reduce the heating of the urban environment, and manage flooding.
3. All development proposals should promote low carbon living through the reduction of carbon emissions by:
   1. Through their location, layout and pattern of development, reduce the need to travel for both people and goods, and promote the use of sustainable modes of transport;
   2. Being designed to reduce energy consumption through methods such as high standards of insulation, avoiding development in areas subject to significant effects from shadow, wind and frost, using natural lighting and ventilation and capturing the sun’s heat where appropriate;
   3. Utilising decentralised, renewable and low carbon energy;
   4. Maximising the reuse or recycling of materials in new construction and making the best use of existing building and infrastructure;
   5. Incorporating multi-functional green infrastructure, which can provide carbon storage and provide environments that encourage walking and cycling;
   6. Protecting and enhancing habitats that provide important carbon sinks, including peat habitats and woodland; and
   7. Incorporating electric vehicle charging facilities.
4. Current Building Regulations set out requirements concerning the conservation of fuel and power in buildings. However, to support the transition to a low carbon economy, and achieve the NPPF aim of moving to a low carbon future, zero carbon development, it is also necessary to encourage the greater use of renewable and low carbon energy in new development.
5. Proposals for major development should:
   1. For residential development of 11 dwellings or more meet at least 10% of their energy needs from renewable and/or other low carbon energy source(s).
   2. For non-domestic developments of 1,000 square metres of floor space and above, achieve “Very Good” in BREEAM assessments and negotiate for “Excellent” where viable and feasible.
   3. Large-scale schemes that would generate a significant source or demand for heat should be supported by evidence considering the feasibility of serving the development by means of a district heating system.
6. Proposals which address one or more of the above principles (whether in relation to an existing development or as part of a wider new development scheme) which are poorly designed and/or located and which have a detrimental impact on the landscape, the amenity of residents, or the natural and built environment, will be refused.

1. North Lincolnshire Council will support opportunities to maximise renewable energy capacity within North Lincolnshire.
2. Proposals for renewable energy development will be supported where any significant adverse impacts are satisfactorily minimised and the residual harm is outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal. Development and their associated infrastructure will be assessed on their merits and subject to the following impact considerations, taking account of individual and cumulative effects:
   1. the scale and nature of the impacts on landscape and townscape, particularly having regard to the North Lincolnshire Landscape Character Assessment and impact on the setting and scenic beauty of the Proposed Extension to the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB);
   2. local amenity including noise, air quality, traffic, vibration, dust and visual impact;
   3. ecology, geology or hydrology, including impacts of the development on deep peat areas, nature conservation features, biodiversity and geodiversity including habitats and species;
   4. the historic environment, including individual and groups of heritage assets;
   5. telecommunications and other networks including the need for additional cabling to connect to the National Grid, electromagnetic production and interference, and aeronautical impacts such as on radar systems;
   6. Public Rights of Way including access tracks through the site, of supporting infrastructure, associated cables and operational equipment; highway safety and network capacity;
   7. the risk of flooding; and
   8. land stability, contamination, soils resources, and loss of agricultural land.
3. Where a development proposal would have a landscape impact the planning application should be accompanied by a detailed Landscape Impact Assessment undertaken by a suitably qualified and experienced person.
4. Where appropriate, proposals should include provision for decommissioning at the end of their operational life. Where decommissioning is necessary, the site should be restored with minimal adverse impact on amenity, landscape and biodiversity, and opportunities should be taken to enhance these features.
5. Proposals for wind and solar energy development will be permitted if:
   1. the development is located in one of the following broad areas as identified on the Policies Map:
      1. Industrial landscape – at the South Humber Bank strategic employment site;
      2. Northern Lincolnshire Edge – to the east and north of the Scunthorpe & Bottesford Urban Area.
   2. it is located in an area that is identified as potentially suitable for wind energy development in an adopted Neighbourhood Plan.

1. Local Green Spaces identified on the Policies Map will be protected from development in line with NPPF. This will exclude any new development on these sites other than in very special circumstances. Only proposals that will protect and enhance Local Green Spaces and are demonstrably supported by the local community will be permitted.
2. North Lincolnshire Council will encourage local communities to promote Local Green Spaces through the development of a Neighbourhood Plan, where appropriate.

1. An area identified as Important Open Space on the Policies Map will be safeguarded from development unless it can be demonstrated that:
   1. in the case of publicly accessible open space there is an identified over-provision of that particular type of open space in the community area;
   2. in the case of publicly accessible open space the site is not required for alternative recreational uses or suitable alternative open space can be provided on a replacement site or by enhancing existing open space serving the community area;
   3. there are no significant detrimental impacts on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, ecology and any heritage assets;
   4. the proposal is for appropriate recreational, community and nature conservation uses where any building and structures do not undermine the fundamental purpose and nature of the open space concerned; and
   5. the area would be enhanced for the recreational, amenity, biodiversity or other benefits it provides.
2. Development on an area of Important Open Space will only be permitted where it would not adversely affect its open character, visual amenity or wildlife value or compromise the gap between conflicting land uses.
3. Where development is permitted, measures shall be taken to minimise its impact or, where necessary, make a positive contribution to such areas.

1. The Council aims to maintain and improve the green infrastructure network by enhancing, creating and managing multifunctional green space within and around settlements that are well connected to each other and the wider countryside.
2. Development proposals which are consistent with and assist delivery of the opportunities, priorities and initiatives identified in the latest North Lincolnshire Green Infrastructure Network will be supported.
3. Proposals that cause loss or harm to this network will not be permitted unless the need for and benefits of the development demonstrably outweigh any adverse impacts. Where adverse impacts on green infrastructure are unavoidable, development will only be permitted if suitable mitigation measures for the network are provided.
4. Development proposals should ensure that existing and new green infrastructure is considered and integrated into scheme design from the outset. Where new green infrastructure is proposed, the design should maximise the delivery of ecosystem services and support healthy and active lifestyles.
5. Development proposals must protect the linear features of the green infrastructure network that provides connectivity between green infrastructure assets, including public rights of way, bridleways, cycleways and waterways, and take opportunities to improve such features.
6. Contributions will be expected from new development towards the establishment, enhancement and ongoing management of green infrastructure by contributing to the development of the existing green infrastructure network in accordance with the Developer Contributions SPD.

1. Proposals for all new development will, wherever possible, ensure the retention of trees, woodland and hedgerows. Particular regard will be given to the protection of:
   1. the amenity value of trees, woodland and hedgerows within settlements; and
   2. ancient woodlands and historic hedgerows.
2. Planning permission will be refused for development that results in the loss, deterioration or fragmentation of irreplaceable habitats including ancient woodland and aged or veteran trees unless the need for, and benefits of, the development in that location clearly outweighs the loss or harm.
3. Where trees which contribute to local amenity or local landscape character are at risk the Council will be proactive in protecting such features through the use of Tree Preservation Orders or other applications of its powers.
4. Landscaping and tree and hedgerow planting schemes will be required to accompany applications for new development, where appropriate.